Grasse Prioritizes Fiscal Responsibility in New State Budget

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nicolle Grasse, D-Arlington Heights, supported a fiscally and socially responsible state budget plan on Saturday prioritizing smart cuts to the cost of government and helping Illinois patch potential disturbances stemming from Washington.

“I’ve seen first hand the struggles families face, and how hard people in our community work to build a stronger future. The state needs to be working just as hard,” said Grasse. “Our latest budget is a step forward in making sure every family is protected from federal cuts and has the services they depend on.”

Federal threats from the Trump Administration could leave Illinoisans vulnerable to critical service cuts that risk healthcare affordability and accessibility for low- and middle-class families, including spiking premiums and potential Medicaid carve-outs Illinoisans rely on.

Grasse, who led several pro-public health measures this session, voted to trim $193 million in government administration costs to reinvest savings into new funding for clinics, safety net hospitals and community health centers for low- and modest-income families. Plus, Grasse voted to create the Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements & Government Emergency Bridge Fund, a pocket of readily-available surplus funds to combat service cuts from Washington.

“People in Illinois want to see consistency and promises kept, two things we’re not getting from Washington,” said Grasse. “That’s why I worked to protect services that families, seniors, and individuals across the state value so Illinois residents have security during a tumultuous budget year.”

Grasse also voted for a raise in wages for live-in caregivers and direct-support professionals that will protect seniors and those with disabilities to continue treatment plans without disturbance of federal impact. In addition to protecting affordable and accessible healthcare, Grasse voted for $300 million in funds to support public schools and after school programs statewide.